Clint Eastwood Explains His Marriage Equality Support, And The Chair

Actor Clint Eastwood talked to Ellen DeGeneres about the famous chair and his libertarian views on marriage equality.

BY Michelle Garcia

September 18 2012 4:02 PM ET

Actor Clint Eastwood, who famously spoke at the Republican National Convention, explained that he doesn't care what critics think about his impromptu conversation with an empty chair.

"The Democrats who were watching said they thought I was going senile, and the Republicans knew I was," Eastwood said to cheers from Ellen DeGeneres’ audience on Tuesday.

Eastwood went on to explain that he most closely identifies with libertarian values, which he described as socially liberal. "You leave everybody alone, but you believe in fiscal responsibility, and you believe in the government staying out of your life."

With that Eastwood said his support of marriage equality is very libertarian.

"The condition of society right now with the high unemployment rates, and the tremendous debt increasing, and the government spending, you'd think there'd be a lot to think about, except worrying about what gay marriage is about," he said.